Documentation Collection Project

What is the Documentation Collection?

The Documentation Collection contains a wide range of photographic items, paper materials and objects, which complement the Archive's audiovisual collection. These materials include:

  • photographs from films, television and radio programs, as well as photographs of performers and other personalities;
  • scripts for feature films, television and radio;
  • posters for film, television and music;
  • vintage audio, film and television equipment;
  • publicity, personal papers, and memorabilia, and
  • unique treasures such as costumes (Miranda's dress from Picnic at Hanging Rock and a selection of Judith Durham's clothes worn during The Seekers performances), awards such as Australia's first Oscar, and a Rolf Harris wobble board.

These materials provide context for the audiovisual collection: some provide background to the production, promotion and distribution process; some provide personal perspectives on the works; and others provide a glimpse into the fun and glamour of the media industry.

How do I donate documentation materials?

All you need to do is contact us at the National Film and Sound Archive in either our Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne offices. The appropriate officer will talk to you about the material that you are offering, assess whether it is relevant to the needs of the Archive, and then organise to have it added to the Collection. We can organise for material to be picked up or you can bring the material to one of the Archive offices.

When you donate material to the Archive, we will confirm with you in writing the conditions under which the material has been donated. Questions such as how the material can be used and by whom, who owns copyright, and how the material may be disposed of if the Archive's needs change in the future, need to be clarified at the time of donation.

What does the National Film and Sound Archive do with the documentation materials it acquires?

Each item is catalogued in our collections management system called MAVIS (Merged Audio Visual Information System). This information is then immediately available through the on-line catalogue. The item is then prepared for long-term storage using archival packaging aterials and sent for storage in environmentally controlled vaults

Sometimes items require conservation treatment before they are prepared for storage. The Archive uses specialist conservators for this work.

We make copies of high demand or particularly fragile photographic images to enhance their preservation and enable us to maintain a readily accessible collection. Some images are digitised, after clearance has been received from the copyright owner, so they can be viewed on-line.

What is the Documentation Collection used for?

The Documentation Collection is used by researchers, in publications and for exhibitions. Many people, including filmmakers, historians, students and interested members of the public, use the Collection for research. Writers reproduce images from the Collection in their published works. The Archive itself draws on the Collection for its publications, such as brochures, calendars, and CD inserts, and also for its exhibitions, including the current Sights and Sounds of a Nation exhibition at the Canberra premises.

How can I use the Documentation Collection?

Apart from looking at the images on our website as you are doing now, there are many ways you can use our Collection. If you are in Canberra, you can come to our Acton premises and see our exhibitions or visit the library and research centre to look at specific items in more detail. (It is best to make an appointment with our Collection Access Section for this, as much of the Collection is stored in special off-site facilities. Some fees apply to this service).

If you are in Sydney or Melbourne you can visit our offices there. Again you would need to make an appointment so that the items you wish to see can be sent from Canberra. We also have access offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth. While we cannot always send documentation materials to those locations, the staff there can help you with your research requests.

For those who live further afield you may already have had the opportunity to see The Travelling Film and Sound Show, which has travelled throughout the states and territories of Australia. It includes not only some of our moving image and sound recordings but also posters, stills and props from our vintage equipment collection.

Who can I contact about donating my collection to the Archive?

In Canberra

Collection Development Officer
Collection Development
National Film and Sound Archive
GPO Box 2002
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6248 2147
Email: collection.nfsa@afc.gov.au

In Sydney

Collection Development Officer
National Film and Sound Archive

Level 4, 150 William Street
Woolloomooloo, NSW, 2011
Phone: (02) 9321 6444
Toll Free: 1800 226 615
Fax: (02) 9321 6491
Email: sydney.nfsa@afc.gov.au

In Melbourne

Collection Development Officer
National Film and Sound Archive
170 Clarendon Street
SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205
Telephone: +61 2 9685 5805
Email: melbourne.nfsa@afc.gov.au